Owais Crawford
The TUA, or Airport Use Fee, is a mandatory fee that travellers must pay when departing from certain airports in Mexico. It is sometimes included in the price of the airline ticket, but some airlines charge it separately. The fee is established by the airport operator and must be approved by the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP). The TUA is calculated as 35-60% of the cost of the trip and is subject to periodic increases, such as the 2024 increase linked to the repayment of bonds for the Texcoco airport project.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is TUA? | The TUA is a mandatory airport usage fee. |
| What is included in TUA? | The TUA includes the Mexico Tourism Tax and Airport Departure Tax. |
| Who decides the cost of TUA? | The airport operator decides the cost of TUA, which is then approved by the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP). |
| How is TUA calculated? | TUA is calculated as 35-60% of the cost of the trip. |
| When is TUA paid? | TUA is paid at the time of purchasing the airline ticket. |
| How is TUA paid? | TUA is paid separately from the airline ticket for certain airlines. For other airlines, it is included in the initial price quote. |
| Who is exempted from TUA? | Children under two, diplomats, passengers in transit, and aeronautical technical personnel with valid licenses are exempted from TUA. |
| What is the cost of TUA as of 2024? | The TUA for domestic flights is US$28.95 (MX$492.61), and for international flights, it is US$54.96 (MX$949.26). |
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What You'll Learn
The TUA fee is a mandatory airport usage fee
The TUA fee, or the Airport Use Fee, is a mandatory charge for passengers departing from Mexican airports. This usage fee is separate from the airline ticket cost and is paid directly to the airport operator. The TUA fee is not a new invention, but its separate billing may be a recent change, as some frequent travellers to Mexico have expressed surprise at being charged separately for the TUA fee. The TUA fee is calculated as 35-60% of the trip cost and must be approved by the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP).
While some airlines include the TUA fee in their initial quoted price, others add it at the end of the purchase process, resulting in a final price higher than initially quoted. For example, Aeromexico includes the TUA fee in its initial price, while budget airlines like Volaris and Viva add the fee at the end. In addition, the TUA fee may be paid online before arrival at the airport or in person at the airport.
The TUA fee is subject to periodic increases. For instance, the fee at Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) increased by over 6% for both domestic and international flights in 2022. Similarly, the TUA fee is set to increase again in 2024, with the new rates being US$28.95 (MX$492.61) for domestic flights and US$54.96 (MX$949.26) for international flights, representing a rise of 3.25% and 3.23%, respectively.
It is important to note that certain categories of passengers are exempt from paying the TUA fee, including children under two, diplomats, passengers in transit, and aeronautical technical personnel with valid licenses.
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It is included in the airline ticket price by some airlines
The TUA, or Airport Use Fee, is a mandatory fee charged by certain airports, such as Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) in Mexico, for the use of their facilities and services. This fee is typically paid by passengers upon departure and is used to fund airport infrastructure and operations. While some airlines include the TUA in the initial ticket price, others may add it as a separate charge during the booking process or at the airport.
The inclusion of the TUA in the airline ticket price varies depending on the airline. Some airlines, like Aeromexico, include the TUA tax in their initial price quote, ensuring that it is covered within the airfare. This means that customers purchasing tickets from these airlines will have the TUA already included in the total cost of their ticket, providing them with a clear understanding of the total price from the beginning of the booking process. This practice offers transparency and convenience, allowing travellers to make informed decisions and avoid unexpected additional costs during their journey.
On the other hand, certain low-cost or budget airlines may choose not to include the TUA in their initial ticket price. Instead, they may present the TUA as an additional charge at the end of the booking process or even at the airport. This practice can make their initial price quotes seem very attractive to customers, as they appear to be offering lower prices compared to competitors. However, by adding the TUA fee later in the purchase process, the total cost of the flight may increase significantly, sometimes by a similar amount as airlines that include the TUA upfront. This lack of transparency can be frustrating for travellers, especially if they are not expecting these additional charges.
Ultimately, it is important for travellers to be aware of the TUA and how it is handled by different airlines. While some airlines include it in their ticket price, providing clarity and convenience, others may add it as a separate charge. Travellers should carefully review the pricing details and read the fine print to understand whether the TUA is included or if they will need to pay it separately. This awareness can help travellers make informed choices, ensuring they know the total cost of their trip and avoiding unpleasant surprises at the airport.
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The cost is established by the airport operator
The TUA, or Airport Use Fee, is a mandatory payment that travellers must pay when departing from certain airports. This fee is separate from the airline ticket price and must be paid before departure. The TUA is specific to Mexico and is used to fund projects like the Texcoco airport project. The cost of the TUA is established by the airport operator and varies depending on the airport and the type of flight, with different rates for domestic and international flights. For example, as of 2023, the TUA at Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) is $26.02 for domestic flights and $49.41 for international flights. From 2024, the TUA at this airport will increase to $28.95 for domestic and $54.96 for international flights.
The TUA calculation is typically based on a percentage of the cost of the trip, ranging from 35% to 60%. While some airlines include the TUA in the initial ticket price, others add it as a separate charge at the end of the purchase process. This has caused some confusion among travellers, who have only become aware of the TUA fee when charged separately.
The cost of the TUA is established by the airport operator, but it must be approved by the relevant government ministry, such as the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP) or the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation (SICT). These ministries also have the power to review and adjust the TUA based on legislative changes and passenger flow.
The TUA is typically a mandatory fee for all departing passengers, but there are some exemptions. Children under two, diplomats, passengers in transit, and aeronautical technical personnel with valid licenses may be exempt from paying the TUA. It is important to note that the TUA is different from the Mexico Tourism Tax, which is typically paid by the airline on behalf of tourists and included in the airfare.
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The fee must be approved by the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP)
The TUA, or Mexico Tourism Tax, is an airport fee that must be approved by the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP). This fee is included in the price of an airline ticket and is established by the airport operator. The TUA calculation is based on 35-60% of the cost of the trip. While some airlines include the TUA fee in the initial price, others add it at the end just before purchase. This has caused some confusion among travellers, who have only become aware of the fee at the last stage of booking.
The TUA fee is mandatory and must be paid before departure. Some travellers have reported that they were not asked for proof of payment after paying the fee, but it is not advisable to attempt to avoid paying. The TUA fee is typically paid on tourists' behalf by the airline and is included in the airfare.
The TUA fee is separate from the Mexico Tourism Tax, which is a one-time tax typically paid by the airline and included in the airfare. It is also different from the Airport Departure Tax, which is paid when leaving Mexico. Both of these taxes are in addition to the TUA fee and are typically included in the cost of the airline ticket.
The TUA fee is subject to change and may vary depending on the airport and the date of travel. For example, as of January 1, 2022, the TUA fee at Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) increased by more than 6% for both domestic and international flights. These fees are dynamic and may vary from month to month, with values fluctuating during the first seven days of the month due to pending updates from the airports.
It is important to note that the TUA fee is not a new charge, but some travellers may not have been aware of it previously as it was included in the ticket price by their chosen airline. It is always advisable to check the breakdown of fees and taxes when booking a flight to understand the cost of each component.
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The TUA calculation is based on 35-60% of the trip cost
The TUA, or Airport Use Fee, is a mandatory fee that travellers must pay when using certain airports. It is included in the airline ticket price, although some airlines choose to display it separately. The cost is determined by the airport operator and must be approved by the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP).
It is important to note that the TUA fee is not always included in the initial price quote displayed by budget airlines. These airlines may add the TUA fee at the end of the purchase process, resulting in a higher final cost than initially quoted. On the other hand, some airlines, such as Aeromexico, include the TUA fee in the initial price, providing a more transparent pricing structure.
The TUA fee is typically a mandatory payment, and travellers may not be allowed to proceed with their booking without paying it. However, there have been reports of travellers avoiding the fee by slipping through with the crowd at the airport. Nevertheless, this is not recommended, as it may result in penalties or other consequences.
The TUA fee plays a significant role in the repayment of bonds associated with airport projects, such as the Texcoco airport project. It is subject to periodic adjustments, and certain categories of travellers, such as children under two, diplomats, and passengers in transit, may be exempt from paying the fee.
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Frequently asked questions
TUA stands for 'Tourism Tax and Airport Departure Tax' or 'Airport Use Fee'. It is a fee that is sometimes included in the airline ticket and sometimes paid separately.
The cost of the TUA fee is established by the airport operator and has to be approved by the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP). The calculation is based on 35-60% of the cost of the trip. As of 2024, the fee is US$28.95 for domestic flights and US$54.96 for international flights.
Children under two are exempt from the TUA airport fee.
Passengers in transit are exempt from the TUA airport fee.
No, it depends on the airline. For example, budget airlines such as Volaris or Viva do not show the TUA fee until the end just before purchase.
